The Best Ways to Buff a Paint Job

The application of a topcoat rarely spells the end of automotive paint project, and most vehicles are buffed before they are refitted and returned to service. When a car is painted, air-fed tools such as spray guns can circulate airborne dust or grit, and this can end up falling into wet paintwork during the drying process. If paint viscosity is too thin, sprayers may also find runs or sags forming. Thankfully, most of these imperfections can be removed and buffed to produce a perfect finish.

Surface Preparation

Painted surfaces must be correctly prepared before buffing begins. Remove runs or sags by dampening the auto body panel with clean water and placing an abrasive clay bar over the imperfection. Lightly move the clay bar over the length of the imperfection to remove micron-sized quantities of paint. Dry the panel at regular intervals to make sure the clay bar is only targeting the affected area, and continue until a dull, flat surface is achieved. This leaves a perfectly prepared surface that is ready to buff.

Buffing with Cutting Compound

Cutting compound is an abrasive paste that is available in different grades, but most auto body shops choose a material with a fine cut. Place a small bead of cutting compound onto the auto body panel and place a foam polishing head onto an electric machine polisher. Place the foam head onto the auto body panel, with the bead of cutting compound in a central position, and squeeze the trigger of the polisher. As the machine oscillates, work the foam head outwards in small circles until a gloss finish has been restored.

Buffing with Glazing Compound

Cutting compound causes small swirl marks that remain in the paintwork after buffing has taken place. These are caused by the abrasive qualities of the cutting compound but they can be easily removed with glazing compound. Glazing compound is also abrasive but it has an ultra-fine cut. Exchange the foam polishing head for a lamb's wool alternative and apply a bead of glazing polishing to the center of the auto body panel. Use the polisher to work the glazing compound into the swirl marks to reduce abrasions to an invisible level.

Wax Polish

Wax polish provides a protective layer over painted surfaces and repels moisture and ultraviolet light. Apply a thin layer of wax polish to the surface of the auto body panel and rub it thoroughly into the paintwork with a clean piece of microfiber cloth. Allow the wax polish to dry to a film before buffing it off by hand with a second piece of microfiber cloth.